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California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo: Anaerobic Lagoon at Cal Poly
Photo: kjkolb, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

College · Catholic life on campus

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

  • LocationSan Luis Obispo, CA
  • Type and sizePublic · 4-year · 22,485 students
Official website

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is not a Catholic college. This rating measures Catholic life on campus: campus ministry, priests, Mass and confession, student groups, and nearby parishes.

The SLO Newman Catholic Center serves the Catholic community at Cal Poly and Cuesta College from 1472 Foothill Blvd in San Luis Obispo, with Fr. Andrew Garcia as Director and Chaplain in residence. Its published programs include Friday confession and adoration, a Wednesday Bible study, men's and women's groups, an annual fall retreat, and monthly service and talks. The Mass times recorded here come from its event announcements.

Mass, confession, and adoration

Confirm with the parish

Mass 3

  • Friday5:00 PMSLO Newman Catholic Center · Referenced as the 5 PM Mass on Friday, August 28, 2026.
  • Wednesday5:00 PMNewman Center · One-time open-house Mass for the feast of St. John Henry Newman, October 7, 2026.
  • Sunday10:00 AMNot stated · Referenced as the Welcome Mass on Sunday, August 23, 2026.

Confession 1

  • Friday4:00 PM–5:00 PMSLO Newman Catholic Center · Times also available weekly or by appointment.

Adoration 1

  • Friday4:30 PMSLO Newman Catholic Center

Times come only from official parish, chaplaincy, or school pages, and can change with the season. Last verified Oct. 12, 2026.

Sources for these times (1)
  1. SLO Newman Catholic Centerslonewman.org · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Receive God’s mercy through confession. Times will be available weekly or by appointment for your convenience. FRIDAYS 4-5PM”
    Sacrament of Reconciliation is scheduled Fridays from 4 to 5 PM, weekly or by appointment.
    “Spend quiet time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, offering glory to Christ and finding peace in His presence. FRIDAYS 4:30PM”
    Adoration is offered Fridays at 4:30 PM.
    “The BBQ will start after the 5PM Mass on Friday the 28th”
    The center refers to a 5 PM Mass on Friday, August 28, 2026.
    “Mass will be at 5pm and an open house will follow with Fr. Andrew”
    A Mass at 5 PM at the Newman Center was announced for Wednesday, October 7, 2026, a feast-day open house.
    “Our Welcome Mass will be the 10AM Mass on Sunday August 23rd”
    The center refers to a 10 AM Sunday Mass, with the Welcome Mass on August 23, 2026.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches0.5 mi1 mi2 miNewman Catholic Center: 0.2 mi1Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa: 1.4 mi2Nativity of Our Lady Catholic Church: 1.4 mi3Saint Anne Catholic Church of the Byzantine Rite: 1.5 mi4SLO Newman Catholic Center: 0.3 miCalifornia Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Newman Catholic Center — 0.2 mi · 1472 Foothill Boulevard, San Luis Obispo
  2. Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa — 1.4 mi · 751 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo
  3. Nativity of Our Lady Catholic Church — 1.4 mi · 221 Daly Avenue
  4. Saint Anne Catholic Church of the Byzantine Rite — 1.5 mi

Within 3 miles, as mapped by OpenStreetMap contributors. The map may be incomplete. Confirm with the parish or diocese.

Catholic life scorecard

Each line is one thing we looked for. A check means yes, a half means partly, a dash means no. “Not enough information” means official sources did not say.

BCatholic life on campus: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.

Catholic life on campus

78 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Catholic campus ministry serving this campus (Catholic center, campus ministry, or chaplaincy)Yes
    Sources (1)
    1. About Us | SLO Newman Catholic Centerslonewman.org/about · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Our mission is to serve the communities of Cal Poly and Cuesta College”
      The SLO Newman Catholic Center's mission is to serve the Catholic communities of Cal Poly and Cuesta College.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Dedicated Catholic center or chapel on or next to campusYes (Dedicated Catholic center located behind the Cal Poly Health Center, across the street from Front Porch.)
    Sources (1)
    1. About Us | SLO Newman Catholic Centerslonewman.org/about · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The Newman Catholic Center, located behind the Cal Poly Health Center and across the street from Front Porch at 1472 Foothill Blvd”
      The Newman Catholic Center is located at 1472 Foothill Blvd, behind the Cal Poly Health Center.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Priest chaplain assigned to campus ministryFull-time priest chaplain (Fr Andrew Garcia is presented as Director and Chaplain in residence of the Newman Catholic Center.)
    Sources (2)
    1. About Us | SLO Newman Catholic Centerslonewman.org/about · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Director and Chaplain in residence ncc@slonewman.org”
      Fr Andrew Garcia is Director and Chaplain in residence of the Newman Catholic Center, with the listed email.
    2. SLO Newman Catholic Centerslonewman.org · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The SLO Newman Center is excited to welcome Fr. Andrew Garcia as the new Director!”
      Fr. Andrew Garcia is the new Director of the SLO Newman Center.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Weekday Mass at the campus ministry1–4 weekdays (Weekday Masses are confirmed only in announcements: Friday at 5 PM (August 28, 2026) and Wednesday at 5 PM (October 7, 2026, feast of St. John Henry Newman).)
    Sources (1)
    1. SLO Newman Catholic Centerslonewman.org · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Mass will be at 5pm and an open house will follow with Fr. Andrew”
      A Mass at 5 PM at the Newman Center was announced for Wednesday, October 7, 2026, a feast-day open house.
      “The BBQ will start after the 5PM Mass on Friday the 28th”
      The center refers to a 5 PM Mass on Friday, August 28, 2026.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Sunday Mass at the campus ministry or a campus chapelOne weekend Mass (The center refers to its 10 AM Sunday Mass (Welcome Mass, August 23, 2026).)
    Sources (1)
    1. SLO Newman Catholic Centerslonewman.org · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Our Welcome Mass will be the 10AM Mass on Sunday August 23rd”
      The center refers to a 10 AM Sunday Mass, with the Welcome Mass on August 23, 2026.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Scheduled confession at the campus ministryWeekly or more often (Confession Fridays 4 to 5 PM; the page also says times are available weekly or by appointment.)
    Sources (1)
    1. SLO Newman Catholic Centerslonewman.org · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Receive God’s mercy through confession. Times will be available weekly or by appointment for your convenience. FRIDAYS 4-5PM”
      Sacrament of Reconciliation is scheduled Fridays from 4 to 5 PM, weekly or by appointment.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Catholic student groups and missionary outreach (e.g., FOCUS, Saint Paul's Outreach, Knights of Columbus, Bible studies)One (The Newman Bible Study with peers is the only student-facing Catholic group counted. They are not counted. No Cal Poly-listed Catholic student organization was readable.)
    Sources (1)
    1. SLO Newman Catholic Centerslonewman.org · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Dive into Scripture with peers, exploring Sunday readings or special passages, sharing insights, and deepening your faith together. WEDNESDAYS @ 6:30PM - 8PM”
      A Bible study with peers meets Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8 PM.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Formation programs (retreats, OCIA/RCIA, service, small groups)Two or more kinds (Two kinds: an annual fall retreat and small groups (Bible study, men's group, women's group).)
    Sources (1)
    1. SLO Newman Catholic Centerslonewman.org · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The Newman Center's highly anticipated annual Fall Retreat will be on October 16 - 18 at Mission San Antonio.”
      The Newman Center's annual Fall Retreat is scheduled for October 16 to 18, 2026, at Mission San Antonio.
      “Grow in faith and virtue alongside other Catholic men through fellowship, shared prayer, and honest conversation. MONDAYS 7:30PM - 9PM”
      A men's group meets Mondays from 7:30 to 9 PM.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Catholic church within walking distance (computed from OpenStreetMap)Within 1 mile of campusComputed from OpenStreetMap church locations.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Published weekly schedule of Mass, confession, and adoration1 to 5 times a week (5 weekly times documented: 3 Mass, 1 confession, 1 adoration.)Computed from the verified Mass, confession, and adoration times listed on this page (each day a time is offered counts once).

Grades come from the documented indicators under the published rubric. “Not enough information” does not mean the school lacks it.

Strengths

  • A priest is listed as Director and Chaplain in residence of the Newman Catholic Center.
    Sources (2)
    1. About Us | SLO Newman Catholic Centerslonewman.org/about · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Director and Chaplain in residence ncc@slonewman.org”
      Fr Andrew Garcia is Director and Chaplain in residence of the Newman Catholic Center, with the listed email.
    2. SLO Newman Catholic Centerslonewman.org · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The SLO Newman Center is excited to welcome Fr. Andrew Garcia as the new Director!”
      Fr. Andrew Garcia is the new Director of the SLO Newman Center.
  • Confession is scheduled weekly on Fridays from 4 to 5 PM, and adoration is listed on Fridays at 4:30 PM.
    Sources (1)
    1. SLO Newman Catholic Centerslonewman.org · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Receive God’s mercy through confession. Times will be available weekly or by appointment for your convenience. FRIDAYS 4-5PM”
      Sacrament of Reconciliation is scheduled Fridays from 4 to 5 PM, weekly or by appointment.
      “Spend quiet time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, offering glory to Christ and finding peace in His presence. FRIDAYS 4:30PM”
      Adoration is offered Fridays at 4:30 PM.
  • Several group programs are listed: a Wednesday Bible study with peers, men's and women's groups, an annual fall retreat, and a monthly service program.
    Sources (1)
    1. SLO Newman Catholic Centerslonewman.org · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Dive into Scripture with peers, exploring Sunday readings or special passages, sharing insights, and deepening your faith together. WEDNESDAYS @ 6:30PM - 8PM”
      A Bible study with peers meets Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8 PM.
      “Grow in faith and virtue alongside other Catholic men through fellowship, shared prayer, and honest conversation. MONDAYS 7:30PM - 9PM”
      A men's group meets Mondays from 7:30 to 9 PM.
      “Discover authentic Catholic femininity, share your journey, and build lasting friendships grounded in faith. TUESDAYS 6PM - 7:30PM”
      A women's group meets Tuesdays from 6 to 7:30 PM.
      “The Newman Center's highly anticipated annual Fall Retreat will be on October 16 - 18 at Mission San Antonio.”
      The Newman Center's annual Fall Retreat is scheduled for October 16 to 18, 2026, at Mission San Antonio.
      “Join us monthly to prepare and serve meals to our homeless neighbors in SLO”
      People's Kitchen is a monthly service program preparing and serving meals to homeless neighbors in San Luis Obispo, on the second Sunday, 12 PM to 3 PM.

Concerns

  • The Mass times recorded come from event announcements.
    Sources (1)
    1. SLO Newman Catholic Centerslonewman.org · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Mass will be at 5pm and an open house will follow with Fr. Andrew”
      A Mass at 5 PM at the Newman Center was announced for Wednesday, October 7, 2026, a feast-day open house.
      “The BBQ will start after the 5PM Mass on Friday the 28th”
      The center refers to a 5 PM Mass on Friday, August 28, 2026.
      “Our Welcome Mass will be the 10AM Mass on Sunday August 23rd”
      The center refers to a 10 AM Sunday Mass, with the Welcome Mass on August 23, 2026.
  • Only one student-facing Catholic group (the Bible study) is counted; the Cal Poly club directory was not readable with the read tool.
    Sources (1)
    1. SLO Newman Catholic Centerslonewman.org · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Dive into Scripture with peers, exploring Sunday readings or special passages, sharing insights, and deepening your faith together. WEDNESDAYS @ 6:30PM - 8PM”
      A Bible study with peers meets Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8 PM.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

The Catholic center

SLO Newman Catholic Center

  • Address: 1472 Foothill Blvd, San Luis Obispo, CA (ZIP code not published)
  • Distance from campus: 0.3 mi (straight line from the campus point in federal IPEDS data)
  • Facilities: Mass held at the Newman Center (October 7 open-house announcement), Drop-in space for fellowship ("our doors are open")

View on map ↗

Source: slonewman.org, verified Oct. 12, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

11 groups and regular activities · 0 on campus, 0 off campus, 11 location not published

Faith formation 5

  • Newman Bible Study
    Wednesdays 6:30 PM to 8 PM
    Scripture study with peers, exploring Sunday readings or special passages.
    slonewman.org
  • Men's Group
    Mondays 7:30 PM to 9 PM
    Fellowship, shared prayer and conversation for Catholic men.
    slonewman.org
  • Women's Group
    Tuesdays 6 PM to 7:30 PM
    Fellowship, shared journey and friendship grounded in faith for Catholic women.
    slonewman.org
  • Trinity Talks
    Talks and discussions on faith, culture and life, hosted by Trinity House with dinner provided. Dates listed as coming soon.
    slonewman.org
  • RCIA
    Program for the Sacraments of Initiation, coordinated by the RCIA and Liturgy Coordinator.
    slonewman.org

Liturgy and prayer 2

  • Liturgical ministries (lector, altar server, Eucharistic minister)
    Opportunities to serve at Mass as lector, altar server or Eucharistic minister.
    slonewman.org
  • Music ministry
    Sunday Mass
    Musicians rehearse and lead worship at Sunday Mass.
    slonewman.org

Retreats 1

  • Fall Retreat
    October 16 to 18, 2026
    The Newman Center's annual fall retreat, held at Mission San Antonio.
    slonewman.org

Service 1

  • People's Kitchen
    Second Sunday of the month, 12 PM to 3 PM
    Monthly meal preparation and service for homeless neighbors in San Luis Obispo.
    slonewman.org

Social life 2

  • Free lunch
    Third Wednesday of each month
    Free lunch provided at the Newman Center.
    slonewman.org
  • Newman Slack community
    Online community for freshmen, transfers and current students to meet peers and receive updates.
    slonewman.org

Everything listed is published by the school, its campus ministry, or the parish. Ask the campus minister what’s happening this semester.

Catholic campus ministry

Sources (1)
  1. About Us | SLO Newman Catholic Centerslonewman.org/about · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Our mission is to serve the communities of Cal Poly and Cuesta College”
    The SLO Newman Catholic Center's mission is to serve the Catholic communities of Cal Poly and Cuesta College.
    “Director and Chaplain in residence ncc@slonewman.org”
    Fr Andrew Garcia is Director and Chaplain in residence of the Newman Catholic Center, with the listed email.
    “The Newman Catholic Center, located behind the Cal Poly Health Center and across the street from Front Porch at 1472 Foothill Blvd”
    The Newman Catholic Center is located at 1472 Foothill Blvd, behind the Cal Poly Health Center.

Reach out

Contact details for Fr Andrew Garcia (Director and Chaplain in residence) and 5 official social and news channels are available to signed-in users.

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Academic Excellence

BAcademic Excellence: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
83 of 100
From federal data, on fixed published scales.

Each measure counts for the share shown.

  • Graduation rate 35% of scoreThis measure counts for 35% of the Academic Excellence score.86%
  • First-year retention 20% of scoreThis measure counts for 20% of the Academic Excellence score.96%
  • Entering students' test scores 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.Not reported
  • Student-to-faculty ratio 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.19 to 1
  • Instructional spending per student 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.$11,438

Bars show points on each measure’s scale. How Academic Excellence is computed.

Source: College Scorecard (College Scorecard, most recent cohorts (data release 06/10/2026))

Cost and value

Federal data, shown separately. Cost, debt, and earnings are never part of any grade.

Undergraduate students
Fall enrollment (IPEDS)
21,559
Total students22,485
Average net price (per year)
After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid
$16,665
Cost of attendance (per year)$32,265
Median federal debt at graduation$18,500
Graduation rate
First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time
86%
First-year retention96%
Median earnings 10 years after entry$90,768
Admission rate31%
Students receiving Pell grants19%

Value index: 82 / 100 (how it’s computed)

Sources: College Scorecard · IPEDS College Navigator · Net price calculator
College Scorecard, most recent cohorts (data release 06/10/2026); IPEDS 2024-25 directory and institutional characteristics; fall 2023 enrollment.

Local Church

Diocese of Monterey

The Most Reverend Ramon Bejarano, Bishop of Monterey

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Source: usccb.org, verified Oct. 7, 2026.

Diocese determined from the county, using the diocese’s county list (Wikipedia). Confirm with the diocese.

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo a Catholic college?
No. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is not a Catholic college. Catholic School Compass rates the Catholic life on its campus instead. Catholic students are served by SLO Newman Catholic Center.
What is California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo’s Catholic Life Score?
79 out of 100 (grade B). It measures Catholic life on campus: campus ministry, priests, Mass and confession, student groups, and nearby parishes, together with academics.
Where is Mass celebrated at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo?
Mass is listed at SLO Newman Catholic Center, Newman Center, and Not stated. Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the parish or campus ministry before you go.

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